Information received on 21/01/2021 from Dr Ali Al-Qattan, Deputy of Director General of Animal Wealth, Animal Wealth, Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Safat, Kuwait
Summary
Report type
Immediate notification
Date of start of the event
04/11/2020
Date of confirmation of the event
08/11/2020
Report date
21/01/2021
Date submitted to OIE
21/01/2021
Reason for notification
Recurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence
28/12/2016
Manifestation of disease
Clinical disease
Causal agent
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype
H5N8
Nature of diagnosis
Clinical, Laboratory (basic), Necropsy
This event pertains to
the whole country
New outbreaks (1)

Outbreak 1
Sulaibiyah, Al Jahrah
Date of start of the outbreak
04/11/2020
Outbreak status
Resolved (09/11/2020)
Epidemiological unit
Backyard
Affected animals
Species
Susceptible
Cases
Deaths
Killed and disposed of
Slaughtered
Birds
112
24
8
104
0
Affected population
Pheasants and geese.
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1
Total animals affected
Species
Susceptible
Cases
Deaths
Killed and disposed of
Slaughtered
Birds
112
24
8
104
0
Outbreak statistics
Species
Apparent morbidity rate
Apparent mortality rate
Apparent case fatality rate
Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds
21.43%
7.14%
33.33%
100.00%
*Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
Unknown or inconclusive
Epidemiological comments
The affected population consisted of pheasants and geese. Birds showed clinical signs of avian influenza. Relevant samples were collected and tested at National Laboratory and confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8. Further investigation on the relevant samples was carried out by the OIE Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, United Kingdom. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 was reconfirmed on 15/01/2021. Immediately after the confirmation of the National Laboratory, stamping out policy was adopted; carcasses were disposed of with application of appropriate disinfection procedures on 09/11/2020. Active surveillance was carried out. There are no commercial poultry farms within a 5 km radius. The outbreak of this event is considered resolved on 09/11/2020.

Control measures
Measures applied
Movement control inside the country
Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone
Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone
Traceability
Quarantine
Official destruction of animal products
Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste
Stamping out
Control of wildlife reservoirs
Disinfection
Ante and post-mortem inspections
Vaccination prohibited
No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
No other measures
Diagnostic test results
Laboratory name and type
Species
Test
Test date
Result
Central Veterinary and Research Laboratory (National laboratory)
Birds
reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
08/11/2020
Positive
Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Weybridge, United Kingdom (OIE Reference Laboratory)
Birds
reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
15/01/2021
Positive
Future Reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.